Penobscot County Commissioners' Minutes from November 19, 2019
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes November 19, 2019 2264 9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Andre Cushing and Laura Sanborn 34°
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve November 5th and November 12, 2019 meeting minutes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Opening of Aluminum Stairways Bids
Commissioner Baldacci opened three (3) bids that were submitted for two (2) Aluminum Stairways – Ship ladder design.
o One Stop Home Repair from Orono – $12,610 o Maine Highland Contracting from Etna - $37,500 o Aaron Newcomb Building, Inc. from Holden - $13,950
Commissioner Cushing moved to take the bids under advisement. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
Maintenance Update –
Cap Ayer, Director of Maintenance reported that he has been looking at lamp posts for the Hammond Street entrance.
o Cap spoke to Peter Crockett from Argyle who gave an estimate for restoration for one lamp post for about $5 K. The total restoration cost would be $10 K. o Brand new lamp posts similar to what we currently have is $7,400 plus installation would cost $8,900.
Cap advised to call Bangor Public Works who they purchased their lamp post from.
Carmel Electric has placed a meter on the emergency power electrical panel that services the courthouse and dispatch. They will leave the meter on for a week to see what the draw will be for the elevator, elevator breaker, kitchen and Civil Office. Cap will report back their findings.
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux reported that George Buswell is working with the brush grinding contractor this week.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the Penobscot Valley Humane Society renewal contract. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve the grant agreement for Katahdin Area Trails TIF monies for $75,000. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Signed.
Barb reported that she was unable to attend the National Guard Public Information Hearing in Woodville last week.
Probate Update –
Registrar Renee Stupak reported that her office is well. We have received a lot of compliments on her staff’s customer relations. Staff is very upbeat and professional.
There is an UMaine Law Student, applying for an internship in the Probate Court.
Renee discussed an ongoing issue with DHHS. They have not been consistent paying Court officers. Due to this, some officers declined to take DHHS cases. To remedy this Probate has paid some of those bills. We also are charging an initial appointment fee when DHHS files petitions. Several attempts have been made to collect monies paid by the county.
Renee will report back as to how much money has been paid on behalf of the State and where we stand in getting this resolved.
Public Comment –
Christopher Swift, citizen from Woodville reported to the Commissioners on the National Guard Public Information Hearing that took place last Thursday at the Woodville Town Hall.
Mr. Swift reported the following information:
The National Guard has clarified the “Woodville Training Area” and has been defined as two training areas. Neither sites have separate entrances and do not create a four way intersection.
o East Training Site has had no development at all and will having no work until next year. o West Training Site will have four areas for troops to camp, several gravel helicopter pads and a 500 sq. ft. building that will most likely be a trailer for command staff to use. o Col Michaud made clear that the National Guard is no longer interested in the Woodville Town Forest. o There are no plans to block off access to either site unless live fire is occurring and only for the duration of that training. o The following groups are involved: Maine Fish and Wildlife, Maine DEP and the Army Corps of Engineers. o There was also talk of a Lincoln airport expansion. This will be discussed later when information is available.
Mr. Swift was very satisfied with what had been presented.
Administration Update –
Administrator, Bill Collins stated that he was pleased with the outcome of the Budget Meeting held last Tuesday.
He and Commissioner Baldacci were unable to attend the MCCA meeting last week in Augusta.
The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee hearing is being held today. Sheriff Morton is in attendance. One big issue of discussion will be in regards to jail tax caps. There are sixteen opinions with no consensus. Bill is aware of three Commissioners that plan on attending the hearings; Amy Fowler from Waldo, Stephen Gorden from Cumberland and Michael Cote from York.
Administrator Ryan Pelletier from Aroostook County is looking into putting together a jail building committee.
Erika Honey hosted an Employee Benefit Fair and Flu Clinic last Wednesday. This event was extremely well received by both employees and vendors alike.
o Dick Hansen, broker of Hansen Insurance commented “Erika provided detailed brochures for each employee, one page summaries that was put in simple explanations for each of the providers and she got PDF files from each of the vendors”. Commissioners thanked Erika. o Our new AFLAC representatives came back Thursday and Friday to meet with employees that were unable to attend the fair and those needing additional assistance.
Interviews were held last week for the Director of Unorganized Territory.
The County will be closed next Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.
The Wellness Committee is putting on another Paint and Snack on December 2nd at 5 p.m.
There was another meeting with WBRC and STV last Thursday.
MACCAM is trying to schedule another meeting first week of December.
Congratulations and recognition to HR Director Erika Honey who graduated from the NACo Leadership Academy, November 8th. Bill presented the proposed 2020 Holiday Schedule. It was recommended that since our contracts still have Columbus Day listed to add that after Indigenous People’s Day on the calendar. Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve the 2020 Holiday Schedule with amendment. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0.
Erika received information that the State’s closure on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The County already closes at noon on Christmas Eve for non-essential personnel; however, New Year’s Eve stays open for regular business hours. The attorney’s in the DA’s office are paid from the State and the Courts will be closed. It was decided that clerical specialists in the DA’s office may use PTO and leave should they wish on New Year’s Eve.
It was decided that there will be Commissioners meetings held on both December 24th and December 31st.
Commissioner Baldacci reported that he went to the first State Workforce Board meeting last week. The Commissioner of Labor was in attendance as well as a lot of new members with businesses being represented such as Bath Iron Works and Reny’s. The local boards are still the ones that will make the decisions; a meeting is scheduled this week for the local boards.
Commissioner Baldacci voiced some concern on the recent editorials in the Bangor Daily News. Commissioner reports that there is some misinformation on what is being proposed on the cost of the jail.
Payroll Change Notices signed for: Jillian Genereux – Transferred; Dustin Umlauf and Carole Starling – Payroll Changes; Tracy Hall and Mary Anne Hesseltine – Comp Time.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $224,723.84 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $146,608.61 Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved for: NONE Unorganized Territory TIF Warrant to be approved for: $75,000
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:20 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Bill Collins, Erika Honey and Barbara Veilleux. Session ended at 10:44 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:45 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Bill Collins and Erika Honey. Session ended at 10:49 a.m. No votes taken. Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:50 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0. Present were: Commissioners, Bill Collins Captain Clukey, Lt. Hotaling and Judy Alexander. Session ended at 11:12 a.m.
Commissioner Cushing made a motion to approve a criminal forfeiture in a drug case in the amount of $ 1,593. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3 – 0.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:14 a.m. with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Moved to approve 3-0
Certified By: Administrator, William Collins Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner Andre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
